Ulster v Dragons 22nd September 2017

Ulster: C Piutau, T Bowe, D Cave, McCloskey, J Stockdale, P Nelson, P Marshall, K McCall, R Herring, R Ah You, R Diack, A O’Connor, C Ross, C Henry (captain), N Timoney. Replacements: J Andrew, A Warwick, W Herbst, I Henderson, M Rea, D Shanahan, B Herron, R Lyttle.

Dragons: C Meyer, A Hughes, T Palamo, P Howard, G Gasson, D Jones, O Leonard, T Davies, G Ellis, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Landman, M Williams, O Griffiths (captain), R Blake. Replacements: R Buckley, P Price, B Harris, J Davies, L Greggains, D Blacker, A O’Brien, W Talbot Davies.

Referee: Dan Jones (WRU, 10th competition game)
AR1: Ian Davies (WRU). AR2: Adam Jones (WRU)
TMO: John Mason (WRU)

That's a distinctly second-string Dragons squad - bench included. If we can get something out of this game it'll say a lot for our depth, but I can't say I'm hopeful.

Just two players, Ollie Griffiths and Rynard Landman, have been retained from the starting XV against Connacht last week.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Just two players, Ollie Griffiths and Rynard Landman, have been retained from the starting XV against Connacht last week.

Any reason why they have done this ?

It's been virtually the same starting XV for the first three games, so he had to rest players at some point. Seems a bit extreme to make quite so many changes, but I'm not a coach.

We had some players injured against Connacht too - Kirchner, Beard and Tyler Morgan.

Dragons are home to Southern Kings next week, I think Jackman is pretty much skipping this game, to aim for a home win with rested players next week.

Still, a heavy defeat doesn't help anyone (except Ulster, of course).

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Still, a heavy defeat doesn't help anyone (except Ulster, of course).

Well Ulster have rested most of their front line players though we have a load of internationals coming in but still could be a close game

We've run you close in the past at Ravenhill, but in this case it's not just the number of changes, it's how inexperienced some of these players are. Of course if could mean that they go out and play with no fear, but if we fall behind it could really unravel.

I don't blame him for making changes. We have some players who have played a lot of rugby this season (like Super Gav and the front row) and we need to work on our depth. The only trouble with it is, he is putting a bit of pressure on the Kings game now. I didn't agree with when Kingsley and the Lyp used to do this, as we would invariably lose the home game after.

On the whole, after he has criticised the back up players for zero impact etc., I would expect them to be pretty keen to prove a point to him. Ulster will win, probably with a bonus too but hopefully those players have a good crack.

With regards to the team selected, I'm surprised that he has picked Howard at 12 and the loanee at 13. Would've thought it would be the other way round. Good to see Phil Price and Carl Meyer back fit.

I think it's potentially harsh on those back-up players though. It's like when players had to wait for a chance with Wales, and instead of selecting one or two new players in an otherwise first-choice XV, Gatland would throw half-a-dozen new players in against Fiji - we'd labour to a win, or lose, and those players never really stood a chance of showing what they could do.

Then again, apparently Gatland recommended Jackman for the job, so we shouldn't be surprised!

Imagine for a second though, how much of a boost it would be if this squad went toe-to-toe with Ulster at Ravenhill, and came away with something to show for it.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Imagine for a second though, how much of a boost it would be if this squad went toe-to-toe with Ulster at Ravenhill, and came away with something to show for it.

A run of good results can make a team or player forget about the aches and pains or the lethargy

I don't mind it with Ulster as we get to give young guys a run out and hopefully sharpen them up for when we need them

Its a very young and experienced squad but I like the look of that backrow - certainly one for the future.

Great to see Adam Hughes and Meyer back too.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Still, a heavy defeat doesn't help anyone (except Ulster, of course).

We don't gain anything from not having a hard contest so despite what it does to my nerves, I hope the Dragons players really step up for this one.

Well in theory we can win, so be careful what you wish for

I think Ulster should have rested Piatau and Mcloskey for this one too...

mikey_dragon wrote:I think Ulster should have rested Piatau and Mcloskey for this one too...

Piutaus well rested after being out injured, thanks for the concern though

I've put Piutau and McCloskey in my fantasy PRO14 side.

I'd doubt it will be sold out tonight. Culture Night.

Don Alfonso wrote:I'd doubt it will be sold out tonight. Culture Night.

Are you saying Ravers will be a hipster free zone tonight?

Also fewer parents bringing kids and fans of music and food.

3 of the last 5 years theres been clashes with Culture Night, last season there was less than 14k for Scarlets, 2015 there were no games because of the RWC and 2014 we were away to Cardiff and 2013 we had less than 12k for Glasgow

You'd think these things would be factored into the fixture generator to ensure attendances aren't affected

marty2086 wrote:3 of the last 5 years theres been clashes with Culture Night, last season there was less than 14k for Scarlets, 2015 there were no games because of the RWC and 2014 we were away to Cardiff and 2013 we had less than 12k for Glasgow

You'd think these things would be factored into the fixture generator to ensure attendances aren't affected

There must be something up with the algO'rithm, to be sure

Is this on BBC, or not at all?

mikey_dragon wrote:Is this on BBC, or not at all?

BBC NI Marty, thank F....

Haven't seen much of Thretton yet but I like what I see so far.

So Dan Jones calls maul then penalising Ulster for not rolling away then penalises Chris Henry for competing at a ruck?

Cheetahs beating Leinster at HT. nice to see!

Good start.

With no breakdown threat the Dragons are really struggling to stop our momentum.

Some thoughts :

Kicking is a worry.
I think Diack is done.
Ah You with a poor knock on.
Lovely running lines from Tommy.
McCloskey is full of confidence.
PMarshall is actually looking slick enough but am await the inevitable mistake.
We're moving them around a lot, I can see them tiring in the 2nd half.
Timoney is athletic but do worry about his bulk

McCall has been fantastic around the park

I worry about Ah You, you just always worry he is going to go too far with one of these hits and get carded.

Great for Tomoney! Ulster going well it has to be said.

Artful_Dodger wrote:I worry about Ah You, you just always worry he is going to go too far with one of these hits and get carded.

Same.

Redman wrote:Good start.  

With no breakdown threat the Dragons are really struggling to stop our momentum.  

Some thoughts :

Kicking is a worry.  
I think Diack is done.  
Ah You with a poor knock on.  
Lovely running lines from Tommy.
McCloskey is full of confidence.
PMarshall is actually looking slick enough but am await the inevitable mistake.  
We're moving them around a lot, I can see them tiring in the 2nd half.
Timoney is athletic but do worry about his bulk

A big carry from Diack followed by Timoney powering over

clivemcl wrote:Great for Tomoney! Ulster going well it has to be said.

Big reaction from the players when he scored. Encouraging sign.

marty2086 wrote:

Redman wrote:Good start.  

With no breakdown threat the Dragons are really struggling to stop our momentum.  

Some thoughts :

Kicking is a worry.  
I think Diack is done.  
Ah You with a poor knock on.  
Lovely running lines from Tommy.
McCloskey is full of confidence.
PMarshall is actually looking slick enough but am await the inevitable mistake.  
We're moving them around a lot, I can see them tiring in the 2nd half.
Timoney is athletic but do worry about his bulk

A big carry from Diack followed by Timoney powering over

Saw the try line and suddenly made a bit of effort .....

Diack's having a great game as is Ah You despite the knock on.
There's the 5th try. Ulster must be ruthless now and keep this going.
Lèinster being humped by the Cheetahs right now.

Piutau is in mesmeric form.

Just got live scores on for the Ulster match. Are they playing that well or are the Dragons playing pish? That is some lead already.

Absolutely no reason to bring on Shanahan or Herron. Keep a strong team on pitch and crank up points. You never know when PD could be a factor for playoffs.

Treviso beating Ospreys too...

31-5 to the Cheetahs. Taking Leinster apart there.

Without threatening us at the breakdown Ulster can play at will. It's night and day from the Treviso game were they frustrated us at every ruck.

Our first up tackling is pretty intense, really putting pressure on the Dragons.

The feistiness in Ulsters game is great to see, we've been so timid in games like this in the past but you can see there's a fire been lit under these players

Oh Palamo ..............

Always play to the whistle as my school teachers would say. Well done Stockdale.

I almost feel bad for the Dragons now.

What a night for Tomoney!

Timoney is a centre ffs.